Bombers seeking first-round pick if Ridley leaves to Cats or Roos, as AFL reveals their assistance package

Essendon are expected to request a late first-round draft selection in return for contracted defender Jordan Ridley, who has received significant interest from Geelong and North Melbourne.

The 27-year-old has failed to get on the park regularly in the past three seasons, playing just 26 games as he endured a succession of soft-tissue injuries.

Ridley, who is contracted until the end of 2029, has not yet declared his intent to move, but the Bombers are aware of interest in the tall defender and have made it clear they value the best and fairest winner highly, despite his inability to get on the park.

However, the clubs showing interest are more inclined to argue that they are taking a punt on Ridley being a consistent performer given his injury history.

The Bombers have an interest in Cats’ midfielder Jack Bowes, who also has some interest from North Melbourne, and a one-year offer to remain at Geelong, but it appears unlikely he would be part of any deal involving Ridley. St Kilda’s Rowan Marshall is also keen to join the Cats.

The Bombers are also gearing up to speak with Hawthorn about their demands for Zach Merrett, who is keen to join the Hawks at his second attempt after he failed to reach his destination last year.

The Bombers, who are expected to be active during the trade period, have interest in Adelaide’s Luke Pedlar and have been keeping their mind open on Melbourne midfielder Jack Viney.

Meanwhile, Essendon will have two extra rookie list spots next season after asking the AFL for help four months ago. But the Bombers did miss out on a draft pick request and soft-cap relief.

The Bombers, who sacked coach Brad Scott in May and have hired ex-player Mark McVeigh to lead their next era, were hoping for an end-of-first-round selection to help supercharge their rebuild.

They won only two matches this year after a 6-17 record in 2025, when they suffered through a lengthy injury list.

The AFL will review this decision at the end of next year, after which it could recommend similar support for Essendon in 2028 and 2029.

Speaking on SEN on Tuesday, AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said Greg Swann, Tom Harley and others at league headquarters worked closely with the Bombers and decided this was the most appropriate assistance package for their situation.

“What they need is some more experience there, so they’ll have two additional rookie spots, which they can [use to] add experienced players onto their list,” Dillon said.

“Essendon asked for it, and we feel that they do need that. They have to continue to replenish through the draft … [they] had players leave over the past couple of years, and I think they need some experience around them as well.”

Swann said in a statement announcing the Bombers’ assistance package that it was important to strive towards having a “competitively balanced competition” where fans felt their team could “win on any given day”.

Essendon’s assistance is not at the same level as recent recipients West Coast, North Melbourne and Gold Coast, although they endured a longer period at the bottom of the ladder.

The AFL also revealed that clubs will have an additional Category B rookie list spot for First Nations prospects. It is optional for clubs to use the spot.

Will Saints say hooroo to Tauru?

St Kilda have told clubs that Alix Tauru – a top-10 draftee only two years ago – is available if they can satisfy the Saints in a trade deal after the contracted 20-year-old visited Gold Coast’s facilities last week.

The Suns have subsequently cooled on the idea of securing Tauru, being unwilling to meet the high price his management put on his head.

Two competition sources told this masthead that Tauru’s agent, Centimeter Perfect’s Dylan Smith, asked for a salary worth about $1 million annually on a long-term deal despite his client entering his third season with just 19 games under his belt.

The developing situation comes after St Kilda presented Tauru with an offer of a four-year extension.

It also follows the Saints sensationally reneging last year on their lucrative offer to another player in the Centimeter Perfect stable, Giant Leek Aleer, which caused significant angst for Smith and his colleague Nigel Baldwin.

The tough and athletic Tauru has shown glimpses of his talent, but needs plenty of development as he remains raw. He has also copped three multi-game bans in that time for rough conduct and striking.

Tug-of-war for Butts

Key defender Jordon Butts is yet to decide if he is leaving Adelaide to accept the Western Bulldogs’ five-year offer as the Crows try to convince him to stay.

Two industry sources familiar with Butts’ situation told this masthead on Tuesday that the 26-year-old, who had his exit meeting last week, had not made a call on his future despite a narrative for months that his move to the Dogs was a foregone conclusion.

He could still end up at the Bulldogs, but is genuinely weighing up his decision while Adelaide do their best to retain him.

Contracted Crows backman Nick Murray wants to play for North Melbourne despite having two seasons left on his deal, which would slice significant defensive depth from the club if Butts also departs.

The difference in Murray’s case is that Adelaide must agree to trade him, but the potential of scoring the Kangaroos’ future first-round selection might be too irresistible.

The Dogs have already secured a commitment from in-demand restricted free agent Zak Butters, who was their No.1 target, and managed to retain unrestricted free agent backman Buku Khamis, a year after he requested a trade to Carlton.

The Butters acquisition could propel Luke Beveridge’s team into flag contention, but they lack height in their key defensive stocks, hence their interest in Butts, who was also on North Melbourne’s radar.

Butters’ contracted Port Adelaide teammate Todd Marshall, a 198-centimetre swingman, has also been linked with a move to the kennel.

There were discussions about the Power paying a chunk of Marshall’s remaining deal to score multiple first-round picks off the Dogs, but the AFL has since reminded clubs of a rule that stops parties involved in a free agency transaction from being part of a separate deal with top-up payment arrangements.

In other words, the Dogs can trade for Marshall, but they would have to take on all his salary.

Get around our AFL finals coverage